The fastest way depends on your operating system

You can type the degree symbol (°) on Windows, Mac, or Linux without installing anything new. The method changes based on what you're using, but all of them take under five seconds once you know the steps. The symbol appears in the same place in your document as any other character you type.

If you use the symbol regularly — for temperature, angles, or geographic coordinates — you can set up a keyboard shortcut so you never have to remember a code again. Most people find one method and stick with it, so pick the one that matches your device and write it down the first few times.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt to insert the degree symbol.
  • On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol in any process.
  • On Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + U, then type 00b0 and press Space or Enter.
  • You can create a text replacement shortcut in your operating system settings so typing a short code (like "deg") automatically becomes the degree symbol.
  • The degree symbol works in email, documents, spreadsheets, and web forms the same way as any other character.

Windows: Alt code method

On Windows, the degree symbol uses an Alt code — a number combination that produces a special character. Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears where your cursor was.

This only works with the numeric keypad, not the number row at the top of your keyboard. If your laptop doesn't have a separate numeric keypad, you may have a Fn key that activates a hidden number pad — check your keyboard manual or look for numbers printed in a different color on the letter keys. On some laptops, you hold Fn and Alt together while typing the numbers.

If the Alt code doesn't work, make sure Num Lock is turned on — there's usually a light on your keyboard that shows this. If Num Lock is off, the numeric keypad types letters instead of numbers.

Mac: keyboard shortcut

On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 at the same time. The degree symbol appears when ready. This works in any process — email, documents, web browsers, spreadsheets, everything.

If that combination doesn't work, your Mac keyboard layout may be different. Open System Preferences, go to Keyboard, then Input Sources, and check which keyboard layout you're using. The Shift + Option + 8 combination works for US and most English layouts. If you use a different language layout, the combination changes.

Linux: Unicode input method

On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment, but the most common way works in most applications. Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol), then press Space or Enter. The degree symbol appears.

Some applications may not support this method. If it doesn't work, try Ctrl + ; (semicolon) followed by o, or check your process's Insert menu for Special Characters. Different Linux distributions and applications handle this differently, so if one method fails, the other usually works.

Setting up a text replacement shortcut

If you type the degree symbol often, create a shortcut so you don't have to remember the code every time. On Windows, open Settings, go to Ease of Access, then Keyboard, and turn on Sticky Keys. Then use the Character Map process (search for "charmap" in the Start menu) to find the degree symbol, copy it, and paste it into a text replacement tool like AutoHotkey or built-in Windows shortcuts.

On Mac, open System Preferences, go to Keyboard, then Text, and click the + button. Type a short code like "deg" in the Replace field and paste the degree symbol in the With field. Now whenever you type "deg" followed by a space, it automatically becomes °.

On Linux, this depends on your desktop environment. GNOME has a similar text replacement feature in Settings under Keyboard Shortcuts. KDE users can set this up in System Settings under Input Devices.

Where the degree symbol works

The degree symbol works anywhere you can type text — email messages, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Excel spreadsheets, web forms, text editors, and social media. It's a standard character, so it displays the same way on every device that receives it.

In spreadsheets, you can type it directly into a cell or use a formula. In Word or Google Docs, it appears in the same font as the surrounding text. If you're writing code or working in a plain text editor, the symbol still works, though some very old systems may not display it correctly.

When to use the degree symbol

The degree symbol is standard for temperature (72°F or 22°C), angles in geometry (a 90° angle), and geographic coordinates (40°N latitude). In academic writing, use it for temperature and angles. In casual writing, some people type "degrees" spelled out instead, but the symbol is more precise and takes less space.

In some contexts, you might see a superscript o used instead of the true degree symbol, but the actual ° character is the correct choice. Most modern applications recognize and display it properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the Alt code work on my Windows laptop?

Your laptop probably doesn't have a separate numeric keypad. Look for numbers printed on your letter keys in a different color, usually blue or red. Hold Fn (function key) and Alt together, then type the numbers on those keys. If that still doesn't work, use the Character Map process instead: search for "charmap" in the Start menu, find the degree symbol, copy it, and paste it where you need it.

Can I copy and paste the degree symbol instead of typing it?

Yes. Copy the ° symbol from anywhere — a web page, another document, or even from this article — and paste it into your document. This works on any device. If you do this often, save the symbol in a text file on your desktop so you can copy it quickly whenever you need it.

Does the degree symbol work in all fonts?

The degree symbol works in virtually all modern fonts. Very old or specialized fonts might not include it, but standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, and Calibri all have it. If the symbol doesn't appear, try changing the font or checking that you typed it correctly.

What if I need the degree symbol but my keyboard layout is different?

The Alt code 0176 works on any Windows keyboard regardless of layout. On Mac, the shortcut changes by language — check your keyboard layout in System Preferences to find the correct combination. On Linux, the Unicode method (Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00b0) works across all layouts.

Can I use the degree symbol in passwords or usernames?

Most websites and applications accept the degree symbol in passwords and usernames, but some older systems don't recognize special characters. If a site rejects it, try a different character or contact their support. For passwords, using common characters is usually safer because you're less likely to run into compatibility problems on different devices.